Manitowoc, WI – August 26, 2009 – Jimmy Mars (Menomonie) took home a clean sweep at Manitowoc County Expo Speedway. Mars is one of the nation’s top Late Model drivers and is sponsored by Baleigh Industrial of Manitowoc. Also taking home victories during the Manitowoc County Fair special were Brian Kristan (Zion, IL), Chad Kistner (New Holstein) and Bradley Ruh (Elkhart Lake). The race night was sponsored by A & W of Manitowoc and the trophy sponsor was Triangle Distributing of Green Bay.

Todd Flannery (Antigo) took the lead of the 25 lap Late Model feature from the pole position. Flannery’s lead was short lived as Paul Parker (Appleton) passed him on lap three for the lead. With eight complete circuits, the only yellow flag of the race flew for the car of Brad Mueller (Random Lake) spinning in turn one. With lapped traffic now put to the back of the field, Mars got a great restart and for several laps were race door to door with Parker. On lap 11, Russ Scheffler (Pewaukee) was closing in on Mars. Also moving up in the field was Tim Buhler (Glenbeulah). Parker pulled away and on lap 14 encountered lapped traffic again. Mars pulled close to Parker again and the two ran side by side for several laps and on lap 24, Mars crossed the line ahead of Parker to be scored in the lead. Mars took home the win with Parker, Scheffler, Buhler and Gordie Seegert, who transferred from the B-Main, rounding out the top five. Seegert took control of the 15 lap Late Model B-Main. The first caution of the race came on lap one for the car of Jeff Sayler (Howards Grove) hitting the guardrail in turn three. After another completed lap, the yellow flag flew again for the ride of Joe Schmidt (Kiel) hitting the guardrail on the backstretch. Seegert continued to set the pace for the rest of the race followed by Matt Schultz (Muskego), Robert Cullen (Chilton), Ray Reiss (Kiel), Dave Haag (Plymouth), Dingel Bros (Sheboygan), Scott Haugstad (Plymouth), and Eric Michaels (Cleveland).

The 360 MSA Sprint Car, presented by Image 1 Motorsports, 30 lap A-Main was a race marred by many yellow and red flags. Jeremy Schultz (Beaver Dam) jumped out to the lead from the pole position. Schultz was slowed on lap three for the car of Jeff Wilke (Genoa, IL) spinning in turn two. When the field came by to be scored for lap four, Wayne Modjeski (Oak Creek) was leading. The field was stopped on lap four for the car of Schultz flipping in turn four. Schultz checked out fine but would watch the rest of the race from the pits. Also pushed to the pits during the red was Scott Conger (Eagle) with motor problems. He also retired to the pits for the remainder of the race. On the restart, Modjeski set the pace and was being challenged by Travis Luedke (Plymouth) and Kristan. On lap eight, Kristan passed Luedke for second and was now making his way to Modjeski. The caution flag flew on lap 11 for the car of Mark Wernes, Jr spinning in turn four. On the restart, Kristan passed Modjeski for the lead. The car of Tony Wonrda lost power and stopped on the front stretch bringing out the yellow flag. Kristan took the green once again only to be slowed on lap 16 for the third place car of Luedke experiencing mechanical problems and stalling on the infield but not clear of the track. Another red flag flew two laps later when the car of Tim Haddy (Waupun) hit the guardrail and came in contact with the car of Terry Marten (Sheboygan Falls) causing Marten to flip. The time limit of the race was now becoming a factor. With only 18 laps in, there were only four minutes left on the clock. Kristan took the green and only ten more laps were completed when the time limit expired. Kristan took home the checkered flag followed by Modjeski, Paul Pokorski (West Bend), Scotty Thiel (Sheboygan) and Shane Wenninger (Kewaskum).

With 31 Grand National cars signed in, race fans were treated to two B-Mains with the top 4 of each B-Main transferring to the feature. Donald Schumacher (Oconomowoc) grabbed the early lead of the 20 lap Krajnik Chevrolet Grand National feature. The first caution of the race came on lap two for the car of Scott Houpt (Belgium) spun in turn four. When the field came to the strip on lap four, Mike Bastian (Manitowoc) was leading. Chad Ninmer (Cleveland) and Bastian swapped spots on lap seven. Bastian reclaimed the lead on lap eight. The caution flew on lap nine for the car of Dan Schumacher (Milwaukee), Kevin Lubach (Elkhart Lake) and Bryan Monday getting in an altercation in turn four. The race was slowed again on lap 11 for the cars of Todd Jensema (Sheboygan Falls) and Lubach getting together in turn two. With the time limit reached, the order was to go green, white, checkered. As the cars came around turn four to take the white flag they were all racing for position. The car of leader Bastian and third place Ninmer made contact sending both cars across the track on the front stretch in front of the entire field. Since the white flag was displayed for the leader, the race was declared complete and the win going to Chad Kistner (New Holstein). Rounding out the top five were Brian Gilles (Plymouth), Don Schumacher, Phil Coppersmith (Fultondale, AL) and Todd Smith (Menasha).

Todd Smith took the lead of the first B-Main from the pole position. The first caution of the race came on the first lap. Keith Kellenbenz (Manitowoc) was the caution car. On lap six, Kellenbenz spun in turn three bringing out the caution for the second time. Due to the two spin rule Kellenbenz was retired to the pits. As the field came to the line on lap 8, Jason Winkler (New Holstein) edged out Smith for the lead. The yellow flag came out for the ride of Bob Peter (Howards Grove) coming to a halt in turn one with mechanical problems. Winkler continued the pace and showed the field to the checkered flag. Crossing behind Winkler was Jestin Danes (New Holstein), Dan Schumacher, Smith, and Kevin Damrow (Whitelaw).

Coppersmith led the second B-Main for the first three laps. The caution flag came out on lap one for the car of Paul Perronne (Sheboygan) making contact with Ben Stumpf (Brillion) and Jerry Brickner (Mishicot). Brickner’s car was taken off the track on the hook and Perronne was disqualified for rough driving. When the cars came around on lap four, Kenny Richards (Montello) took the lead from Coppersmith. Richards led the rest of the way to take home the win. Chasing Richards to the line was Coppersmith, Ryan Mueller (Manitowoc), Matt Yancey (Sheboygan) and Stumpf.

Greg Herrmann (Whitelaw) took the lead of the 15 lap Hobby Stock feature. Hard charging Adam Krepline (Manitowoc), coming from his 11th place starting position, took the lead on lap seven. On the next completed lap, Bradley Ruh, who started tenth, passed Krepline for the lead. The first caution of the race came on lap 12 for the ride of Jeff Leonhard (Sheboygan) hitting the guardrail in turn four. On the next lap, Robert Hensel (Two Rivers) spun in turn four to bring out the last caution of the night. The call was to go green, white, checkered. Kyle Resch (Manitowoc) was charging hard to the front to catch Ruh. Resch ran out of laps and had to settle for second behind Ruh. Rounding out the top five were Herrmann, Ryan Minster (Sheboygan), and Kris Conard (Manitowoc).

EWSC will resume racing and conclude the season with the Labor Day Weekend Special, Friday, September 4th, and Saturday, September 5th. Racing will start at 7:00 PM on Friday night and will start at 6:00 PM on Saturday. Division champions will be crowned on Saturday night.

Race Summary